These employees from VSNL came under Tatas’ fold after privatisation in 2002.

In a letter addressed to Dr. Singh and Ms. Gandhi, the All India VSNL/TCL Employees Association highlighted the employees’ plight.

“Over the years more than 1,500 employees (from VSNL) have been targeted and were thrown out . Since disinvestment, the management …has gone on a job axing spree.

“Staff aged around 50 have been their prime target,” the letter says. This is despite a provision in the share purchase agreement for protection of VSNL employees’ jobs, the letter adds.

“The Tata Communications management is terminating old employees. Even one physically challenged employee has been terminated,” the letter to the Prime Minister says. Some employees alleged that the management had been ignoring notices from the Delhi Labour Court for negotiations.

Tata Communicaitons did not respond to a questionnaire emailed by this correspondent, seeking clarification, confirmation or denial for the allegations levelled by the employees.